WASHINGTON COUNTY, Utah, July 10, 2018 (Gephardt Daily) — The West Valley Fire, north of Pine Valley in Washington County, remains at 11,770 acres and 55 percent containment, officials said Tuesday.
“There has been little to no active fire behavior observed over the last few days,” a tweet from Utah Fire Info said. “Today, the fire transitioned to a local Type 4 Incident Management Team. The team will be based out of New Harmony, which puts firefighters in closer proximity to monitor the active portions of the fire. Smoke may still be visible, but is being closely monitored.”
Growth on the wildfire, which is burning 10 miles north of St. George, has slowed significantly and is continuing to smolder and creep with no increase of fire perimeter, according to a news release from the Forest Service. Firefighters continue to mop up hot spots and increasing the fire containment line.
Due to the protection of public safety in the affected burned areas and required clean up efforts post-fire, the Dixie National Forest has enacted a temporary Special Order for the area within the West Valley Fire perimeter and trails on the Pine Valley Ranger District.
Trails temporarily closed include the following: Summit Trail at the junction of the Whipple Trail on the south end and at the junction with the White Rocks Trail, Water Canyon at the Pine Valley Mountain Wilderness boundary, Mill Canyon at the junction with the White Rocks Trail, Anderson Valley, and Syler Springs at the Pine Valley Mountain Wilderness boundary. This temporary Special Order will remain in effect until Dec. 31, or until fire managers have cleared the area for public transit.
Stage II Fire Restrictions remain in place; additional details are available here. Emergency area, road and trail closures remain in effect. For details about these closures, please click here.
The fire began Wednesday, June 27 at approximately 3 p.m., officials said, and its cause was an abandoned campfire.
